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Chandigarh girl becomes first South Asian to become immigration commissioner in US

Published

3 years ago

2022/12/26

Kudrat Dutta Chaudhary, a young lawyer who hails from Chandigarh, has been appointed the Commissioner of Immigrants Rights at San Francisco. She is the first South Asian to get this position.Kudrat will deal with asylum seekers seeking asylum on the basis of gender-based violence or persecution they have suffered in their home countries.As a Commissioner, her job would be to advice the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors on immigrant issues in the city and county of SF.

The process of becoming a Commissioners requires an application, shortlisting of candidates and then the nominated candidates are given an opportunity to present their candidature to the Rules Committee. The Rules committee then makes final candidature recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and they then vote on it.

Chaudhary earned a unanimous vote from the Board of Supervisors for her position.After graduating from the Army Institute of Law, Kudrat Dutta Chaudhary studied at the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy and graduated with an LL.M in International Laws.

While in graduate school, Chaudhary focussed on Gender Analysis in International law and went on to work as a Gender Rights Specialist at the Law Office of Robert B. Jobe in August 2019.

In San Francisco, she has been very active in advocacy. She heads the women’s march San Francisco and is the first South Asian Commissioner on the Immigrant Rights Commission for the city and county of San Francisco.

The Indian Express spoke to Kudrat about her early years in Chandigarh and her motivation for pursuing law.

The Chandigarh connect

I did my primary schooling at Sacred Heart and high school from Vivek. Subsequently, I joined the law programme at the Army Institute of Law. Following my graduation in law, I pursued LL.M from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University.

What made you take up Law?

I am a very justice oriented person and believe that law is a strong agent to bring societal change. Hence, it wasn’t a tough choice.

What do you like the most about Chandigarh?

As an expat, I believe I have the privilege of only remembering and rejoicing in the best things about Chandigarh and hence I love how green it is, its culture, how small it is (which is also why I love San Francisco) and all the memories that I built in the city.

What do you dislike about Chandigarh?

If I have to choose one thing I dislike, I’d probably say how small Chandigarh is. That is because knowing everyone can sometimes lead to less opportunities for privacy and making choices that one wants to make personally as opposed to what is expected.

Secret of your success

There is no secret per se. I continue to work towards becoming the best version of myself with the understanding that my life’s purpose is to advocate for those who can’t do it for themselves. Lots of water, good sleep and walks with my dog. (Indian Express)

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Let’s build a new Sri Lanka upholding harmony, mutual respect by protecting the religious and cultural rights of others- PM

Published

12 hours ago

2026/01/15

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya in her ThaiPongal day message, called upon all Sri Lankans to build a new Sri Lanka upholding harmony, noble qualities such as mutual respect and the protection of the religious and cultural rights of others.

The full text of the PM’s message:

“I extend my heartfelt greetings to the Tamil people in Sri Lanka and abroad who celebrate the ThaiPongal festival, marking a pride tradition that expresses gratitude for the dignity of labour and the protection bestowed by nature.

This noble festivity manifests the world the inseparable bond between human life and nature. We are all creations of nature. There is no path we can take in defiance of nature or beyond it. In that sense, showing respect and gratitude in return for the blessings we receive from nature can be regarded as one of the highest human virtues.

As a nation, we stand today at a decisive turning point. We bear the collective responsibility of steering the country towards a “new era of revival” by bringing about a transformation in attitudes through policy and structural reforms. As a government we have accepted this responsibility and embarked with determination on a new year dedicated to the advancement of our nation even amidst numerous challenges,

As the saying goes, “We can place rice on our plate only if the farmer steps into the mud,” the commitment we make today for the future prosperity of the country is akin to preparing fertile fields in anticipation of a bountiful harvest. This ThaiPongal festival, which honours and expresses gratitude to nature, serves as a guiding light in nurturing citizens enriched with cultural values.

On this ThaiPongal Day, let us all resolve together to build a new Sri Lanka upholding harmony, noble qualities such as mutual respect and the protection of the religious and cultural rights of others.

I sincerely extend my wishes that all the hopes and aspirations of the Tamil people celebrating ThaiPongal may be fulfilled, and that this new beginning may bring happiness and prosperity to everyone.”

News

Ambassador of the United States of America to Sri Lanka pays farewell call on PM

Published

12 hours ago

2026/01/15

Priyan

Ms. Julie Chung, Ambassador of the United States of America to Sri Lanka, paid a farewell call on the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at Temple Trees on the 14th of January, marking the conclusion of her tenure in Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister warmly welcomed the Ambassador and expressed sincere appreciation for her service and significant contribution to strengthening bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the United States during her tenure. The Prime Minister conveyed special thanks to the Government of the United States for the timely assistance extended to Sri Lanka during the emergency situation following Cyclone Ditwah.

Ms. Julie Chung expressed her gratitude to the new Government of Sri Lanka for the cooperation, support, and spirit of mutual understanding extended to her throughout her tenure, and reaffirmed the continuity of partnership between the two countries.

During the meeting, discussions were held on ongoing cooperation under the Fulbright Scholarship Programme and the United States Peace Corps Programme, with both sides emphasizing their value in fostering strong people-to-people ties and long-term collaboration.

The meeting was attended by Ms. Jayne Howell, Deputy Chief of Mission, Ms. Menaka Nayyar, Counselor for Public and Cultural Affairs, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Director General of the Europe and North America Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ms. Pramuditha Manusinghe, Director of the Europe and North America Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Doctors threaten strike

Published

14 hours ago

2026/01/15

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa

The Executive Committee of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has set a 10-day deadline for the NPP government to implement the agreement reached between them and Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa recently.

The GMOA yesterday (14) declared that the decision to launch a countrywide strike on 23 January had been taken at the EC meeting held on Tuesday (13).

GMOA Secretary Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa said his Association had resorted to trade union action in the recent past against the failure on the part of the government to address their grievances through the 2026 Budget. However, the GMOA called off such trade union action after Dr. Jayatissa, in writing, assured that the Cabinet approval would be obtained to create a special category of public service as Sri Lanka Health Service to accommodate all categories of doctors and increase the doctors’ DAT (Disturbance, Availability, & Transport) allowance, resolve transport issues in terms of the 22/99 circular, transform additional allowance to a permanent allowance and resolve issues surrounding the research allowance.

The GMOA blamed Minister Jayatissa and the Health Ministry for the developing situation. (SF)